Home birth equipment

ruthyjo

I had an unplanned home birth for my third child. Although it was a bit of a scary experience actually delivering her with no midwife, but just two paramedics neither of who had delivered a baby before and a panicking husband it was so lovely to be at home afterwards. I didn't breastfeed my third child - a decision I made before she was born because of various problems I'd had with the previous two children. The only thing we could have done with having ready that we didn't have in the house was some formula. The emergency midwife just had one little bottle in her car. This might not be a problem for you if you're going to feed the baby yourself.

When it was obvious the baby was coming too quick to get to hospital I did have the foresight to grab a waterproof sheet that my son (then 5) had on his bed at night which was fortuitously drying on a rack just near where I decided I couldn't move from.

Jo_R_2

Hi ruthyjo

Will be feeding this one myself but thanks! Also delivered my first myself, was in hospital but was rather further on than anyone realised (including me!) and whilst midwives were out of the room and boyfy had a sudden nose bleed and rushed off to get tissues, baby decided to come out so there I was with baby on bed!

Waterproof sheet is something I may get for the bed - not planning on birthing on bed but you know how it is, you just can't predict what you want to do until it's happening!

Savvy_Sue

My midwives suggested that large cardboard boxes opened out flat were the best thing for the floor: less slippy than plastic! And you just get rid of them afterwards, whereas I suspect a true MSE would want to clean the shower curtain and keep it for next time ... A sheet or towel on top would take care of any floods.

Feeding the midwives: with No. 2 the second midwife arrived so close to the birth that there wasn't time to make her coffee: DH was just about to go and make her one when they decided he'd better not leave the room! After the birth she decided against coffee - well it was 3 am!

The other thing about home births is that the midwives never seem to forget you! We had one call at our house and say "I think I've come to the wrong house, but I know I recognise you!" I called my youngest down, he'd have been 3 or 4 at the time, and introduced him to the midwife who'd helped him out of my tummy. Then we gave her directions for where she was supposed to be! :rotfl: